servicing your own regs

[Jeff G]

for those of you who service your own regs, how did you get started and why do you do it?

[jbres1]

I started working on my own regs about a year and a half ago.
I do it because I like to know that my gear is in good working order.
Its also a way for me to buy more tools.
Jim Breslin

[Geoff_T]

as far as doing this what is required by way of training. I have always wanted to learn how but don't even want to risk screwing somthing up ie. doing this without knowing what I am doing. Is is a seperate training for each reg model or a general training for each brand or regs in general. Who do you go to to learn this? LDS, factory, or 3rd party.

[Crimediver]

I got started working on my own because I was a broke college kid. I took my regs apart and saw how they worked, cleaned 'em up and put them back together. Pretty simple really. I made up my own IP guages and magnahelics guages. Now with the internet it is a hell of a lot easier. Download an overhaul manual, and fix them yourself. I find it easier to take care of regs like keeping water out of the first stage, use environmentally sealed regs, etc. than it is to overhaul them.

Many won't agree with this but I only overhaul a reg once in a blue moon. I usually only inspect them and only replace seats and valves when they need it.

Get an Airspeed press book and your overhaul manuals and a few tools. I own dozens of regs and could not afford to send them off for "annual overhauls". I have had a couple of LDS really screw up my overhauls. One reg I opened up after it was overhauled had the second stage diaphram covered with dried silt. They charged me for an overhaul but did not work on it. I have also asked a local shop for my old parts and he went back in the shop and brought me a baggie of parts that I knew did not even fit my regs. I also once got back a reg that was missing an exhaust valve under the exhaust T. Man, what a sweet breather on the surface but underwater all you got was lungs full of water. I have never had a bit of trouble with my regs and they are finely tuned to the IP pressure I need.
If you are just a bit handy with tools, know how to read and are patient scuba regs are not that tough to work on.

Some regs I can rebuild in my sleep but some I won't work on. Poseidons are one I avoid but simple regs like the USD Conshelfs designs are so simple a frogman can do it.

[coral cowgirl]

"If you are just a bit handy with tools, know how to read and are patient scuba regs are not that tough to work on."
________________________________
I'm not, can't and don't....so I send mine off to Scubatoys for servicing. They've always done a great job and got it back to me lots faster than I could figure out the manual.

[Crimediver]

Originally Posted by coral cowgirl

"If you are just a bit handy with tools, know how to read and are patient scuba regs are not that tough to work on."
________________________________
I'm not, can't and don't....so I send mine off to Scubatoys for servicing. They've always done a great job and got it back to me lots faster than I could figure out the manual.

I said it was so easy a frogman can do it, not a mermaid. Of course it goes without saying that women should always send their regs off to Scubatoys.

Actually the regs my department dive team uses are shipped off to a company for annuals and there have been no problems with their repairs or price and it has a quick turn-around. It pays to shop around and ask others for the best price and service and not blindly take a reg to a LDS, who may or may not be the right place to work on it.

One local shop near me sends any regs they get off to a shop in NC and the shop tacks on additional charges to the customer who could have sernt it to the same place themselves at considerable savings.

I like knowing how my regs work as it allows me to notice problems before they get worse and do quick field repairs that have saved dives for me and my partners.

[jtkkym]

Originally Posted by Crimediver

Now with the internet it is a hell of a lot easier. Download an overhaul manual, and fix them yourself.

Do you have the web site for downloading manuals?

[in_cavediver]

Originally Posted by jtkkym

Do you have the web site for downloading manuals?

What manual do you need? ST has several on thier site for download.

I'm similar to Crimediver. I rebuild only when they need it, and that's mostly 2nd stages not 1sts. I do it because I own 9 regs and I am sure as heck not paying the retail rate on 9 regs for service when they don't need it. (or I can do it).

For a single reg though - there are some really good places you can send it off to. ST does mail order service and judging by the posts here, they do a pretty good job and stand behind their work. If I had just one, I'd consider that option.

[Geoff_T]

what about parts. While I am sure I can find the manual for mine online what if I need replacement parts. Or rather do you have to go through a dive shop or licensed service tec to get them?

[in_cavediver]

Originally Posted by Geoff_T

what about parts. While I am sure I can find the manual for mine online what if I need replacement parts. Or rather do you have to go through a dive shop or licensed service tec to get them?

Depending on the model - ST stocks them. I got my last Zeagle parts from them. I get the Dive Rite parts from Cave Excursions or Dive Rite express. Some companies are a PIA to deal with though (Scubapro for example).

I subscribe to the freedom of access ideals. I can buy critical parts for my car and fix it myself (if I screw that up, I can kill a lot more than just me) and therefore a reg should be no different. Some companies agree with me, some don't. I patronize only those who do.

Dive Rite, Salvo, Zeagle and Posiedon are ones I know personally allow for part kits to be sold.